Complete membership application on first page of association section and send dues to:

ATA, Membership Secretary

Leslie D. Weger

P.O. Box 778

Seligman, AZ 86337

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Hello Trappers,

The annual ATA convention is right around the bend. Friday July 27th and Saturday July 28th. I look forward to seeing many of you there, catching up, and taking some notes during the demos. Trappers Education will be held on Saturday morning so our new trappers get a chance to visit the vendors and attend more of the demos.

The emphasis of this year’s convention is going to be on fur put-up and handling. Skinning, fleshing, stretchers, knife sharpening, equipment selection, washing, dry cleaning, finishing touches and other ideas to get the most out of your hard work.

Possible speakers to include (even though they don’t know it yet): Rick Van Horn, Joe Melton, Brent Parker, Ron Day and John O’Dell.

If you have any trapping, hunting, or camping gear you would like to donate to the ATA silent auction please bring it along. We would be happy to try and find it a new home.

If anyone has anything to contribute to the May newsletter please submit it to me as soon as possible. We are always looking for contributions and input. If you have any suggestions or ideas please contact me as soon as possible!!! — Scott Trowbridge

TREASURER’S REPORT

Wow! Here we are in March and we just got 10 inches of snow for the Antelope Eaters hunt. Boy did it make things hard for those callers out there fighting the wind and the cold.

Nothing new to report here on my end as it a slow time for ATA between events.

Scott is working on the convention so if you could give him a call to lend a hand. I am sure it is going to be a good one. I look forward to seeing all the new trappers at the convention this year that just took trappers ed! Stan has plans to change the trappers ed class for the new trappers taking the class enabling them to take part in the convention. Which is a great change.

Scott and Steve are working to put the next newsletter together so if you have anything to submit get a hold of them.

Catch Ya next Time. — Cindy Seff

NTA DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Jim Curran Conservation Director has attended on behalf of the NTA two of the last three National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) Annual meetings. He did trapping seminars which were a part of the optional programs. NTA has been invited to act as a full sponsor of an agenda presentation. As an agenda item all those present will be seeing and hearing the presentation. Along with Jim our directors of National and International Affairs the Linkhart’s will be attending. They will also be putting on a presentation. Rick Fredrick of Missouri, who will be our new Conservation Director, will also be attending.

The Linkhart’s will be sending out personal invitations to national and state Caucus members to attend the national convention. Congressman Tim Walz, who represents Owatanna, MN has shown interest already. They met the Congressman at the National Sportsmen’s Foundation Banquet in Washington DC while there for Fur Wraps the Hill (FWTH). These types of contacts are what NTA is focusing on that need to be developed. The Linkhart’s have had discussion with affiliates about issues in their states Game Departments and have offered advice regarding these issues. From what has seen, there appears to be a need to educate the members and affiliates in networking with these individuals, who power in many states. This could be an agenda item for a future workshop topic.

Upcoming is this year’s annual meeting of FWTH in New York. There are no pressing issues at the federal level as of now, the Linkharts are keeping an eye on the progress of the rules for fur labeling.

Don’t forget to send in changes to your Affiliate Director’s contact information to Bedford allowing enough lead way to make sure the Director’s page is accurate in the AT. If you do not report changes the information will not be up to date in the American Trapper.

If you have not sent in nominees for the 2012 NTA awards now is the time to do so. Deadlines are July 1st for submissions. Here is a list of the awards: Trapper of the Year-East, Trapper of the Year-West, Benefactor Award, Pioneer Award, Leadership Award, Director of the Year, Affiliate of the Year and Congressional Merit Award. If you’re not sure which award an individual may be qualified for send in your nomination and the Awards Committee will review and decide which award would best fit.

Don’t forget about the FBU raffle for the Gun of the Year Raffle in conjunction with your state! You can take part in this raffle to raise monies for your state as well as FBU or purchase out right as follows: The 2012 Gun of The Year is the Ruger “AMERICAN”, 30.06 Caliber with a Matte Black w/ Black Composite Stock, Marksman Adjustable Trigger, Recoil Pad, Full Diameter Bolt, Power Bedding, Hammer Forged Barrel, Tang Safety and Rotary Magazine. It is 6.2 lbs. and it is new for 2012. It was just releasing from the factory! It is available for purchase and we have a limited quantity of 25. Numbers will be released on a first come basis. Engraving is available. For more information, please contact myself @ Cindy Seff 480-390-0723.

Please don’t forget as mentioned last month John Daniels General Organizer has been contacting states to gather contact information for the new alert system. We need a person in each state willing to be the contact person for your state. It does not have to be an officer to stay abreast of things and pass information along to your state. Please contact John if you’re interested @ 423-595-0986 or email John the info @ johndanielgc@yahoo.com.

Also if you are not a member or need to renew you can do so on the website or by sending $30.00 for one year to: National Trappers Association , 2815 Washington Avenue Bedford, Indiana 47421. Or for questions call Headquarters @ 812-277-9670.

If you ever need anything I can do to assist you or answer questions please call , if I don’t know the answer I will get it, remember I am only a phone call away 480-390-0723.